Max Aitken

Max Aitken (25 May 1879-9 June 1964) was a British newspaper proprietor and Conservative Party politician. He served as an MP from 1910 to 1916, as Minister of Information in 1918, Minister of Aircraft Production from 1940 to 1941, Minister of Supply from 1941 to 1942, Minister of War Production in 1942, and Lord Privy Seal from 1943 to 1945.

Biography
Max Aitken was born in Maple, Ontario, Canada on 25 May 1879, and he became the general manager for the Royal Securities Corporation in Halifax, Nova Scotia; he was a millionaire by 30. Aitken later moved to Britain to continue his business, and he befriended Bonar Law, influencing his decision to join the Conservative Party. He was elected as a Unionist MP in 1910, and he was effective in two world wars as Minister of Information in 1918 and Minister of Aircraft Production in 1940. He was best known for his newspaper empire, including the Express and the Evening Standard newspapers, which gained record circulation. He used these to exercise political influence, and he promoted the Empire Free Trade system from 1929 to 1931. His real influence was questionable, however, as he failed to prevent the fall of David Lloyd George and failed to bring down his rival, Conservative leader Stanley Baldwin. He died in Surrey in 1964 at the age of 85.